Shopian youth joins Al-Badr militant outfit, pictures goes viral

Srinagar, May 31: A youth from Shopian district announced on social media his joining of militant ranks and to be part of the Al-Badr outfit.

Aijaz Ahmad Paul son of Abdul Rashid Paul, hailing from Losedanew village in Imamsahab has reportedly joined militancy. His picture brandishing with a rifle has gone viral on social media. His code name as per the picture is Salahuddin Bhai. Aijaz, a B.SC student was missing since May 30.

According to sources, this is the first picture of any youth wielding a gun and announcing his joining militant outfit Al-Badr since the trend of youth announcing their joining militancy mostly Hizb, LeT and Jaish outfits.

However, sources said that the lesser-known militant outfit Al-Badr was active in Srinagar and Ganderbal districts in past.

A police officer told GNS that police has received information about the youth gone missing.

However, the officer said that the family has not so far approached with concerned police station with the missing report.

Regarding his picture going viral on social media, the officer said: “We are ascertaining the authenticity of the picture and are investigating it from all angles and it would be premature to conclude that the youth has joined the militant ranks,” the official said.